It is my great honor to have been called upon by President Barack Obama to help him direct our national government's effort to building stronger cities and metropolitan areas and to direct the first ever White House Office of Urban Affairs. This President, unlike any other in our history, understands from first-hand experience, having worked in neighborhood and community development, that urban and metropolitan areas are the engines of our national and global economy.This is why he created the White House Office of Urban Affairs. Our task is to ensure that the federal government is a partner, encouraging urban and metropolitan areas that are more economically competitiveness, that expand opportunity for all, and that are environmentally responsible and sustainable. President Obama understands that if we invest in smart and well coordinated ways every American will enjoy more opportunity, and improved health and quality of life. In creating the White House Office of Urban Affairs, President Obama took a bold step toward realizing a new federal-urban partnership which he announced in the historic 2008 address that he delivered before the U.S. Conference of Mayors. (See [INSERT LINK TO SPEECH]President Obama described his vision of an Administration that would learn from the experiences of mayors and local elected leaders, and provide leadership at the federal level to encourage integrated investment in cities and metropolitan areas, rather than continuing the failed “siloed” approach which characterized federal programs of the past. On February 19, 2009 President Obama signed the Executive Order that created the White House Office of Urban Affairs. Since then, in collaboration with other executive offices and federal agencies, our team has opened a line of communication with mayors and local leaders, begun coordinating federal agencies toward smart investment in America’s cities and metropolitan regions, and has developed the contours of federal urban-metropolitan agenda that reinforces the notion of urban-metro regions as assets.We have embarked on an ambitious effort to coordinate urban policies that will support: (1) the development of strong regional economies, (2) sustainable and responsible infrastructure, and (3) communities of opportunity in America’s metropolitan areas. Our goal is to ensure that federal dollars are coordinated and invested in effective and efficient programs that yield real results for urban communities.

The bottom line is that President Obama—and all of us in the Administration—are working tirelessly with partners both in and out of government to find innovative solutions to the challenges and opportunities presented by urbanization. We our looking to local partners on the ground here in America, and we are committed to working with our global partners at the World Urban Forum in Rio in March.

I will am thrilled to join the senior delegation to the Forum because for the President, the World Urban Forum is about innovations and solutions–about sharing those ideas, listening to best practices, and coming to consensus on how as global partners, we can most sustainably and inclusively plan for our collective urban and metropolitan future.

It is my great honor to have been called upon by President Barack Obama to help him direct the Administration’s charge to build stronger cities and metropolitan areas and to direct the newly established White House Office of Urban Affairs. This President, unlike any other in our history, understands from first-hand experience that urban and metropolitan areas must continue to be the engines of our national and global economy.This is why, on February 19, 2009, the President took a bold step toward realizing a new federal-urban partnership, which he announced in the historic 2008 address that he delivered before the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and signed the Executive Order that created the White House Office of Urban Affairs. (See [INSERT LINK TO SPEECH]His vision of an Administration that would learn from the experiences of mayors and local elected leaders, and provide leadership at the federal level to encourage integrated investment in cities and metropolitan areas was quickly becoming a reality. Since then, in collaboration with other executive offices and federal agencies, our team has opened a line of communication with mayors and local leaders, begun coordinating federal agencies toward smart investment in America’s cities and metropolitan regions, and developed the contours of federal urban-metropolitan agenda that reinforces the notion of urban-metro regions as assets.Our goal is to ensure that the federal government is a partner, encouraging urban and metropolitan areas that are more economically competitive, that expand opportunity for all, and that are environmentally responsible and sustainable. President Obama understands that if we invest in smart and well coordinated ways every American will enjoy more opportunity, and improved health and quality of life. But he rejects the idea of continuing the failed “siloed” approach which characterized federal programs of the past.That is why we have embarked on an ambitious effort to coordinate urban policies that will support the development of: (1) strong regional economies, (2) sustainable and responsible infrastructure, and (3) communities of opportunity in America’s metropolitan areas. Our purpose is to ensure that federal dollars are coordinated and invested in effective and efficient programs that yield real results for urban communities.

The bottom line is that President Obama—and all of us in the Administration—are working tirelessly with partners both in and out of government to find innovative ways to address the challenges and opportunities presented by America’s urbanized areas. We our looking to local partners on the ground here in America for inspiration and motivation, but are committed to working with our global partners at the World Urban Forum in Rio in March.

I will am thrilled to join the senior delegation to the Forum because for President Obama, the World Urban Forum is about innovation; it’s about sharing ideas, listening to best practices, and coming to consensus on how as global partners, we can most sustainably and inclusively plan for our collective urban and metropolitan future.

At the 1939 World’s Fair in New York, General Motors unveiled “The Futurama” exhibit, a captivating model that provided a vision for the not-so-distant “future” of 1960. Visitors to the exhibit, most of which (WHO) did not own cars, were left in awe of the “ideal city of tomorrow” with breathtaking skyscrapers, massive highways that made transportation easier, and a sense of personal freedom of travelling long distances in a short amount of time.

Many of the exhibit’s predictions came true, but with many unforeseen and critical consequences.

At the 1939 World’s Fair in New York, General Motors unveiled “The Futurama” exhibit--a window into a theretofore-unseen world of elevated expressways and abundant automobiles circa 1960. Visitors to the exhibit, most of whom did not yet own cars, were left in awe of the “ideal city of tomorrow”, for the first time imagining themselves riding in a vehicle amidst breathtaking skyscrapers on bald concrete multi-lane highways, speedily bound for a previously untouchable countryside.

The exhibit proved prescient; but automobiles and their accompanying infrastructure would have devastating effects on the American city and its vitality that were perhaps not anticipated by the bold optimism of Futurama.

2. What do you and the White House Office of Urban Affairs plan to contribute to this event?

In the White House, our team is advancing a dialogue created by President Obama, focused on making metropolitan regions more competitive, equitable, livable and sustainable. Over the last year, we have had the privilege of traveling to cities around the U.S. to learn about some of the most innovative and inventive initiatives that show real promise for solving the challenges facing urban areas. We hope this forum will allow us the opportunity to share what we’ve learned from our partners and to inspire leaders to engage their constitutes in similar discussions in all parts of the world.

I would put something more along the lines of the "American perspective" of urbanism and urban development, briefly mentioning the central city disinvestment and the recent push for regionalism. Mention how this American urban experience is unique in the world.

2. What do you and the White House Office of Urban Affairs plan to contribute to this event?

In the White House, our team is advancing a dialogue created by President Obama, focused on making metropolitan regions more competitive, equitable, livable and sustainable. Over the last year, we have had the privilege of traveling to cities around the U.S. to learn about some of the most innovative and inventive initiatives that show real promise for doing just that. We hope this forum will allow us the opportunity to share what we’ve learned and to share our uniquely American perspectives. We hope to inspire leaders around the world to engage diverse voices and interests, and restore prosperity and opportunity to cities around the globe.

In the White House, our team is advancing a dialogue created by President Obama, focused on making metropolitan regions more competitive, equitable, livable and sustainable. We hope this forum will allow us the opportunity to share what we’ve learned and to share our uniquely American perspectives. Challenges facing American cities, including decentralization, inner-city blight and vacancy and racial segregation,…

We hope this forum will allow us the opportunity to share the variegated American urban experience, from its rapid 20th century decentralization to its 21st century reconstitution as vibrant, larger metropolitan regions. We will share the stories of intervention into the process of urban change in this uniquely American experience.

In the White House, our team is advancing a dialogue created by President Obama, focused on making metropolitan regions more competitive, equitable, livable and sustainable. We hope this forum will allow us the opportunity to share the variegated American urban experience, from its rapid 20th century decentralization to its 21st century reconstitution as vibrant, larger metropolitan regions. We will share the stories of intervention into the process of urban change as we’ve worked to restore prosperity and opportunity to all Americans.

This administration has tasked the White House Office of Urban Affairs with shaping a new urban agenda for America—and that is our passion. It is so very important that we engage our friends and colleagues around the world to learn what works as we move forward with President Obama’s pledge to make America’s city once again the engines of economic growth and the centers of culture and innovation. We believe that cities are not the problem, but must be the solution and we thank you for bringing together leaders from around the world to . ..

I came to the White House knowing that we must fundamentally change the pattern of urban development to reflect the way American’s live. Early on President Obama put forth a vision for creating 21st century cities that are the engines of economic growth and the centers of culture and innovation. We understand that cities are not the problem, but must be the solution. Engaging our friends and colleagues around the world is critical to the work we do and to renewing America’s economy and urban centers.

Today we are in a much more challenging economic time than when I arrived at the White House a year ago. This Administration understood then that we must fundamentally change the pattern of urban development to reflect the way American’s live. But now, with more people out of work and fewer families able to make ends meet, there is no more time to waste. The President is asking us to work quickly and collaboratively to meet our obligations to urban populations around the world. He strongly believes that cities will be key to creating a more environmentally sustainable and prosperous world for us all. We can think of no better way to initiate in this dialogue than at the World Urban Forum. Thank you for having us

1. What do you and the White House Office of Urban Affairs hope to contribute to this event? In the White House, our team is advancing a dialogue created by President Obama, focused on making metropolitan regions more competitive, equitable, livable and sustainable. I hope this forum will allow me the opportunity to share the variegated American urban experience, from its rapid 20th century decentralization to its 21st century reconstitution as vibrant, larger metropolitan regions. I will share the stories of intervention into the process of urban change as we continue working to restore prosperity and opportunity to all Americans. 2. Why is it important to the U.S. to participate in this forum?

Today we are in a much more challenging economic time than when I arrived at the White House a year ago. This Administration understood then that we must fundamentally change the pattern of urban development to reflect the way American’s live. But now, with more people out of work and fewer families able to make ends meet, there is no more time to waste. The President is asking us to work quickly and collaboratively to meet our shared obligations to urban populations around the world. He strongly believes that cities hold the promise for creating a more prosperous and environmentally sustainable world for us all. We can think of no better way to kick off this dialogue than at the World Urban Forum.

3. How is the U.S. working to “Bridge the Urban Divide”?

American cities have a history of segregation and inequality. In planning for a more integrated and equitable future, we’re ensuring that those who have historically been marginalized get a seat at the table as we create a 21st century urban landscape for America. This may seem like a small step, but it’s a big one.

At the 1939 World’s Fair in New York, General Motors unveiled “The Futurama” exhibit, a captivating model that displayed a vision for the not-so-distant “future” of 1960. Visitors to the exhibit, most of whom did not own cars, were left in awe of the “ideal city of tomorrow,” imagining themselves riding in a vehicle amidst breathtaking skyscrapers on concrete multi-lane highways, speeding toward a previously untouchable countryside with a sense of personal freedom and pride.

The exhibit proved prescient, perhaps inspirational. Cities of the late 1930’s were cramped and polluted and American’s, in the wake of one of the worst economic recession in American history, were anxious and excited by what lie ahead. Futurama set forth a new vision for development and inspired engineers, architects and planners to re-think the way we interact within the built environment. It gave validation to what many had thought for years; that there were better, more efficient ways of living and doing business. The city of 1960 would be one that would meet the demands of the modern era and move the American economy forward.

And in just a few short decades, the urban landscape of America would be dramatically and forever altered with support and encouragement of government at all levels. Before long, American cities were connected by a web of superhighways that made travel fast and affordable. New neighborhoods sprang up along interstate exists and Americans were, for the first time, able to live far from industry and commerce and the pollution these land uses brought with them.

Throughout the World Urban Forum, several participants expressed the desire for more consistent sharing of best practices, comparative data, and quality dialogue among publiccentral and local governments, private and non-profit stakeholders who work in urban areas across the globe. Similar to the 100 Cities Initiative developed by UN Habitat, OPII OIPI could develop: (1) develop a process for the exchange of best practices (virtual and in personface to face); (2) establish a set of criteria to measure the success of innovation on a concrete set of issue areas; and (3) develop a set of principles to guide national and international philanthropic investment in urban areas (i.e. a compact of sortsor treaty).

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I'm a 24 year old planning student finishing up my master's at the University of New Orleans. I love my hometown and care deeply for it--which is why I continue to maintain this blog despite considerable physical distance between me and my city.
Circumstances have me in Baltimore now.
If you have any questions, please email me at matthewmourning@gmail.com.